Hey guys, I've been thinking on this for a while now, and I'm just wanting some opinions to see if there are any cars I haven't considered yet.  I'm selling my truck for a sport compact of some kind, to save gas and have something more sporty.

I want something that will run mid-15's or quicker stock, has to be a 1998+, and obviously, can't have a V8 or anything lol.  Oh, and I can spend $8000 at the MOST, I'd like to spend a little less than that if possible.  

I've considered the Eclipse GT, RSX (base), and maybe a used Civic Si.  What would you guys get if you were in my position?

Thanks guys  

See if you cant find an Impreza or STi for cheap  

You think I could find a newer Impreza for around $7500-$8000?  I figured any one from 1998+ would be out of my price range.  I'll check around for one though, thanks.  Any more suggestions are definitely welcome.  

well, you can always look to the old style (E-36) M3 from 1995. A decent one might set you back around 10 grand. Since the e46 M3 came out and the new E92 M3 is about to hit the showrooms.. prices for the E36 cars are dropping like flies.

Never as highly valued as the original E30 version of the M3. It still had a nice 3 litre Straight six with over 240 at the crank. Most examples seem to have more, usually around 220 at the wheels. Minor bolt ons like an CAI, headers, exhaust, and the like can easily add 20 to 30 hp ontop of that.  

Ok, thanks man  

The 95 is especially nice due to the fact it only has an ORB1 system instead of the ORB2 on the later models  

did you mean OBD1 and OBD2?  

sorry.. OBD.. I need to not make posts when I dead tired  

What car (1998+, $8k or less) is best for autocross?  I'm fairly set on the Eclipse GT (2000+), how do they do with autocross and road courses with light mods (lowered with KYB AGX combo, intake and cat-back)?

Thanks guys, Aaron  

Supposedly the GT is pretty good.. but it does terrible things to it's front tyres. I would look at the MR2.. any year  

The 2000+ MY Eclipse is rotten. It's very heavy and is not designed to be a handling car. I had a nicely tuned second generation Eclipse GS that did well... but it didn't come cheaply.

Before you even consider a 2000+ Eclipse, go to the following:

http://www.deadeclipse.com

You'll thank me later.  

i would suggest a 90 - 94 cleica gt but im kinda stuck on celicas  

believe it or not.. the Hyundai Accent GT is supposed to be a very good autocross car. Decent power, light weight, and a short wheelbase make for a very tossable car.

If you want to go older.. the old Fiat X1/9 used to be the car to beat in AutoX.. but there are so few left because they rot so easily  

for autocross look at a beat up 1st or 2nd gen miata, or a 99-2001 impreza (make sure its AWD) those all generally go for around 7500-8k where i live